Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 74:1 (Spring 2012)
Article: Paul’s Creative And Contextual Use Of Psalm 68 In Ephesians 4:8
Author: Jonathan M. Lunde

WTJ 74:1 (Spring 2012) p. 99

Paul’s Creative And Contextual Use
Of Psalm 68 In Ephesians 4:8

Jonathan M. Lunde

And
John Anthony Dunne

Jonathan M. Lunde is Associate Professor of New Testament at Biola University in La Mirada, Calif.

John Anthony Dunne is a Ph.D. student in New Testament at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

It is well known that many have attempted to explain the unexpected wording of Eph 4:8 by appealing to the influence of pre-existing traditions. Several have discerned Paul’s dependence on either Jewish or Christian renditions of Ps 68 that opened the door for his creative application of the text to Jesus’ cosmic accomplishments. The important question that will likely never be answered definitively is whether scholars who follow these theories are chasing a red herring or actually closing in on their prey.

It is our contention that the former of these two possibilities is actually the case, leading exegetes down the wrong path in their attempts to discern the formative influences behind these two texts and obscuring the remarkable nature of Paul’s contextually rich typology and theologically motivated redaction.1 Accordingly, we will seek in this article to strengthen the minority view, that it is Paul himself who is responsible for the unexpected wording of Eph 4:8 as he meditated on the original biblical text. This, in turn, will afford us a glimpse into his creative exegesis and interpretive appropriation of the OT Scriptures.2 Our survey will begin by taking a brief look at the arguments for and against the views that pre-existing traditions lie behind both texts.

I. Arguments For And Against Extra-Canonical Influence

Paul’s quotation of Ps 68:18 (MT = 68:19; LXX = 67:19) comes at the introduction of his parenesis to the church. Having exhorted his readers to walk uprightly and in the unity of the Spirit, Paul affirms that the means by which this unity is to be realized is through the exercise of the diverse gifts which have been given to the church (vv. 11–16). Paul notes in v. 7 that grace (χάρις) was given (ἐδόθη) to each person (ἑκάστῳ) according to the measure of Christ’s gift (τῆς δωρεᾶς).

WTJ 74:1 (Spring 2012) p. 100

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